MIAMI – Travelers now have more than three full years of choices to look forward to aboard boutique yacht Crystal Esprit, as Crystal Yacht Cruises opens reservations for the yacht’s 2023 and early 2024 itineraries. On the roster of predominantly schedule-friendly six-, seven- and eight-night voyages are idyllic islands, chic rivieras and ancient civilizations found in the Seychelles, Greece, France, Italy, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Croatia and more, with itineraries designed to offer immersive experiences in each region. Guests can reserve their 2023 Crystal Esprit voyage with no money down, as Crystal Confidence 2.0 offers a 90-day deposit window, extended final payments and relaxed cancellation schedules for all voyages on all Crystal brand experiences through 2023.
From January 2023 through March 2024, the 62-guest, all-suite, butler-serviced yacht – named the 2019 Best Small-Ship Cruise Line by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler – will sail 58 enriching itineraries that will entice history buffs, underwater adventurers, foodies and cultural savants alike, including:
April – October 2023
Greek Isles & Corinth Canal – Visiting shores of ancient archaeological wonders and contemporary holiday havens alike, with highlights including Athens; Ionian Sea gems Parga and Lefkada; passage of the Corinth Canal; Cycladic isles of Delos, Mykonos and Santorini; and hidden, out-of-the-way spots like Patmos, Paros and Crete.
Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast & the Adriatic – Offering a blend of deep history in Sibenik, Dubrovnik, Split and Trogir, where archaeological and UNESCO sites abound, the outdoor treasures and pursuits found in Kotor, Montenegro, along the peninsula of Piran, Slovenia and Venetian influences in Vis and Hvar and more.
Italian Riviera – Featuring calls in locales of legendary beauty like the dramatic cliffs of Positano, the chic island of Capri, lovely island of Elba and the hilltop vistas in Taormina, as well as the boot-tip gem of Otranto, Eternal City of Rome, Riviera spots Portofino and Porto Venere (for Cinque Terre) and the world’s marble capital of Marina da Carrara, which also offers access to the chic beaches and shops if Forte dei Marmi.
French Riviera – Highlighting the chic harbors fancied by elite travelers for decades, calling in Nice, St-Tropez, Cannes and Corsica, with an overnight in Monte Carlo and a visit to charming Le Lavandou. A new itinerary combines the Côte d’Azur and Italian Riviera for a stunning early summer escape.
April, November and December 2023
Holy Land and Middle East – Exploring the ancient civilizations and multi-spirituality of Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Cyprus, with new seven-night routes roundtrip from Eilat, longer itineraries and multiple overnights including Ashdod, Eilat, Aqaba, Cairo (Suez) and Larnaca and visits to Egypt’s Sharm el Sheikh, Safaga and Hurghada. Guests can trace historical paths to the Pink City of Petra and Wadi Rum via Aqaba, Jerusalem and Bethlehem and the pyramids and temples of Egypt, while stops along the Red Sea Riviera afford access to excellent sites for diving, snorkeling and off-road desert adventures. The Holiday itinerary spends overnights in Ashdod and Aqaba, allowing guests to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas exploring Jerusalem and a New Year’s Eve celebration in Wadi Rum.
January – March 2023 & 2024
Seychelles Islands – Nineteen identical itineraries (total for 2023 and 2024) sailing roundtrip from Mahé/Eden, focused on the tropics and natural treasures of the archipelago, from the unspoiled beaches of powdery sand, UNESCO-protected wildlife reserves and crystal blue waters surrounding Praslin, Cousin Island, La Passe, Laraie Bay, Aride Island and Mahé/Victoria.
Several of the itineraries maximize the distinct features of Crystal Esprit, including the yacht’s private marina, fully outfitted for complimentary use of water skis, wake and paddle boards, kayaks, jet skis and snorkel gear, and deep-water adventures up to 1,000 feet in the private submersible for an additional charge. The all-suite yacht offers Crystal’s signature acclaimed standard of luxury and service with private butler service for every suite; fresh, farm-to-table cuisine and an array of open-seating dining venues.
The safety of guests and crew members is Crystal’s number one priority and the fleet will resume service only when the company’s expert team and global health and government authorities indicate that it is safe to do so. Crystal has suspended all voyages across its fleet for the remainder of 2020, and introduced Crystal Clean+ – the initial set of health and safety protocols to be implemented when the company resumes service. Crystal Clean+ is considered the 2.0 version of Crystal’s already stringent protocols. The policies were developed with the latest data available from health experts and will be updated as new information and guidelines become available.
